100 vendors expected at the first market days for the year

By
Camille Doty
March 16, 2012 at 7 p.m.Updated March 15, 2012 at 10:16 p.m.

Victoria Market Days will kickoff Saturday morning at around DeLeon Plaza.

There will be 100 vendors selling artwork, jams, candles and so much more.

Organizers said both sellers and buyers are thrilled to be back downtown. This will be the second year since the downtown construction was completed.

"It's always a nice ambience downtown. People get to shop and the children get to play," said Danielle Williams, recreation specialist with the parks department.

Williams said the first Market Day always starts strong. She added that it's hard to determine raw numbers of attendees because there is no cover charge, but she estimated between 500 and 800 people attend the market days at any given time.

The event will run every third Saturday of the month through December except for October because of Bootfest.

Barbara Ross-Littles has participated in the market days since its beginning 10 years ago.

The Victoria native sells handbags, wallets, jewelry and suitcases under the company B & B Handbags & More. Littles said she enjoys the connections with customers.

"I like seeing people and meeting them," she said.

The longtime vendor said it's hard to determine in advance how successful the day will be.

"I do pretty good some days, but every one is different," said Littles.

Williams said that the attendance is up in the beginning of the year and dwindles down as it gets colder. She also added there is room for growth. The plaza can accommodate 20 more vendors.

They are making accommodations to keep the crowd entertained as well. Next month The Rackit will perform.